Russia's Energy Ministry regularly raises matter of lifting China's import duty on coal; believes negotiations are progressing well - Deputy PM Islamov

MOSCOW. Oct 15 (Interfax) - The Russian Energy Ministry regularly raises the matter of eliminating China's coal import duty and believes the negotiations are progressing well, Deputy Energy Minister Dmitry Islamov told reporters on the sidelines of REW-2025.

"There are currently import duties. We would of course very much like them to be either eliminated, which would be better, or reduced. We are constantly raising these issues, including trying to incorporate them into our agreements," Islamov said.

"This is a complicated matter. I believe they [the negotiations] are progressing well," Islamov noted.

In its negotiations with China, Russia's Energy Ministry during talks with China is always raising the issue of coal supply volumes, payment for supplies, as well as joint projects and the most favorable conditions for cooperation, Islamov said in the agenda.

China reinstated previously abolished duties on coal imports in 2024, with the duty ranging from 3% to 6%, depending on the coal type. The duty does not apply to Australia and Indonesia, which are protected by a free trade agreement.

China is one of the main export destinations for Russian coal.